'Grey's Anatomy': 13 years later, THAT musical episode is still a miss for us
Contains spoiler for 'Grey's Anatomy'
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Remember 'Song Beneath the Song', the infamous musical episode of 'Grey's Anatomy'? It's been 13 years since Arizona plunged the entire hospital into a surreal world of song and dance. While some fans embraced the unexpected detour, others saw it as a jarring misstep.
Let's dive back into that controversial yet iconic episode, exploring the reasons why it left some viewers feeling out of tune. The narrative choices, the execution of the songs, and the episode itself left a lasting impact on the show's admirers. But did it offer a refreshing break from medical drama, or did it disrupt the emotional flow of the season?
'Song Beneath the Song,' the show's first foray into musical storytelling, divided audiences. Some fans embraced the unexpected burst of song and dance. We revisit this pop culture phenomenon, exploring the episode's origins, the now-iconic song choices, and its lasting impact on the long-running medical drama.
Revisiting controversial musical episode 'Song Beneath the Song' in 'Grey's Anatomy'
'Song Beneath the Song', also known as 'Grey's Anatomy: The Music Event', is the eighteenth episode of the seventh season of the American television medical drama 'Grey's Anatomy', and the 144th episode overall.
Named after a song initially performed by American singer Maria Taylor, the episode was written by series creator Shonda Rhimes and directed by Tony Phelan. It premiered on ABC in the United States on March 31, 2011, marking the series' first musical episode.
While 'Grey's Anatomy' has consistently pushed creative boundaries, the musical episode 'Song Beneath the Song' remains controversial even 13 years later. Intended as a unique blend of drama and music, it polarized viewers and critics alike.
Despite featuring standout performances many fans felt it distracted from the show's core medical drama. Though ambitious, this episode didn't resonate with all, leaving some to question whether the series truly needed this musical experiment.
The episode centers around Callie Torres (Sara Ramirez) and Arizona Robbins (Jessica Capshaw) following their involvement in a vehicular collision. As the medical team works to save Torres' life, various cast members perform songs that highlight the emotional and dramatic moments of the storyline.
Despite the mixed critical reception, the episode was a ratings success, being the second most-watched program of the night. The episode has since been included in several 'best and worst' lists, reflecting its controversial impact. Additionally, the soundtrack charted on the Billboard 200, highlighting the episode's cultural resonance and the enduring popularity of the series.
Here's the curated playlist for 'Song Beneath the Song'
'Grey's Anatomy: The Music Event' wasn't just a random outburst of song. Showrunner Shonda Rhimes, executive producer Betsy Beers, and director Tony Phelan carefully chose the musical numbers. Their goal was to select the most iconic songs from the show's existing soundtrack that resonated with viewers and best suited the vocal talents of the cast. This included the show's theme song, 'Cosy in the Rocket' by Psapp.
The episode featured both solo and ensemble performances. Sara Ramirez, Kevin McKidd, Chyler Leigh, and Chandra Wilson emerged as the primary vocalists. The entire cast performed popular tracks like 'How to Save a Life' by The Fray and 'Running on Sunshine' by Jesus Jackson.
For more emotional moments, Ramirez, McKidd, and Wilson teamed up on Snow Patrol's 'Chasing Cars'. Ramirez also took center stage for 'The Story' by Brandi Carlile and 'Grace' by Kate Havnevik, joined by other female cast members. Duets added another layer, with Ramirez and Jessica Capshaw singing KT Tunstall's 'Universe & U',
Solo performances rounded out the episode, with Wilson singing 'Wait' by Get Set Go, McKidd belting out 'How We Operate' by Gomez, and Leigh delivering a powerful rendition of Anna Nalick's 'Breathe (2 AM)'.
'Song Beneath the Song' remains a memorable moment in Grey's Anatomy history. Despite its flaws, the episode garnered high ratings and sparked conversation. The curated song choices, featuring established favorites from the show's soundtrack, resonated with some viewers.
'Grey's Anatomy' is available for streaming on Disney+